Startup Week CHA 2021
Monday, October 18, 2021
Badge Pickup + Co-working @ Basecamp powered by EPB
Come grab your badge to access all Startup Week CHA has to offer! Badge pickup is available starting at 8 AM and co-working held throughout the day.
Complimentary Peet's Coffee will be available each morning while supplies last night!
Raising VC Funds During the Pandemic
Raising capital during any time can be rough, but your first round during the pandemic? Ron Fabela, cofounder of SynSaber, dives into the lessons learned from successfully raising a seed round during COVID.
Get Your Angel (Investor) Wings
In this session we will cover: investor accredidation, what kinds of companies to look for, and risk vs. returns (i.e. what to expect).
Who should attend? - Those interested in becoming angel investors - People interested in technology and investing - Founders who want perspective on "the other side of the table"
Will This FLOAT?
This might be the start of a dream come true. Nine people with fresh, creative, fun visions will swallow their fears and doubts and take the stage to present business ideas in this pitch competition. Come see if their ideas FLOAT and connect with budding entrepreneurs.
The full list of companies selected to pitch can be viewed here.
Judges for the event include:
- Adrienne Cooper, founder and CEO of Moonlight Roller
- Erin Felton Lopez, Etsy Inc. Strategy & Analytics, MBA, Ex-Goldman Sachs
- Meilani Santillán, Program Director at Code for America
- Jay Shaffer, Angel Investor and Board Member of Atlanta Tech Angels
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Find Your Funding (Panel + Q&A)
Need funding to start or sustain your business? Join us to hear from a panel of local funding providers. You will hear from these organizations about their specific programs (eligibility, requirements, terms, etc.) and will also be able to ask questions. Panelists include:
Audra Kelly, Southeast TN Development District
Gary Moore, BrightBridge
Katie Hendrix, Pathway
Kimberly Narramore, City of Chattanooga
Lya Kimbrough, Kiva
Marcus Johnson, TVFCU
The panel will be moderated by Lynn Chesnutt from TSBDC.
Where to Network & What to Say When You Get There
Join Young Professionals of Chattanooga (YPC) and hear from Elaine Merritt, Executive Director, BNI as she talks about the available networking opportunities, plus a how-to on what to do once you are there (and steps on following up afterward).
Tour the Innovation District
Get a guided tour of the first Innovation District established by a mid-sized city. The vibrant and walkable district is home to the city’s main downtown public spaces and a host of coffee shops and restaurants, linked by attractive streets, public art, a bike share program and free downtown electric shuttle. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for this hour-long walking tour.
How to Pitch an Angel (Investor)
Your pitch is your movie trailer.
In this session we will cover:
- Slides & information investors expect to see
- Questions you SHOULD ask... and what you SHOULDN'T
- Adapting your pitch for any situation
Additionally, we will select companies from the audience to give 30 second, 1 minute and 2 minute elevator pitches - and receive live feedback from our panel.
The Hustle Radio Show- The Come Up
Join James Chapman (CEO Plainsight App) Tenisha Irvin (Realtor/Investor, Tenisha Irvin Radio Show) and Kevin Love (Cofounder of BEC Award Show, Privileged Chattanooga and Chattanooga Business Elite) as they discuss how hustling in the startup world has paid off. They will talk about everything — the pitfalls, the success stories, taking advantage of the opportunities and networking. This event will feature a DJ, drinks and light refreshments
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Tech & Startups & Jobs: Job Fair 2021
New this year! Join us for the inaugural Startup Week CHA Job Fair. Come meet area employers from tech-enabled startups to major and mid-sized businesses who are hiring right now.
Explore work opportunities from:
Austin Sizemore • FT - Sales/Real Estate Professionals
Bellhop • FT - Sales/Human Resources/Software/Operations/Management
Carbon Five • FT - Software
Chattanooga Selfie Museum • FT/PT - Management/Marketing
Chattanooga Tourism Co. • FT - Marketing
The City of Chattanooga • FT - Human Resources/Software/
Operations/Management
The Enterprise Center • FT - Marketing/Communications
EPB • FT - Customer Service/Technical Support/Network Engineering/Electrical Engineering/Resource Planning/Dispatch/Marketing/IT
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga • FT - Operation/Programs Coordinator
Iron Workers Local 704 • FT/PT - Skilled Labor/Operations
Komatsu • FT - Finance/Accounting/operations/skilled labor
Legacy Box • FT - Marketing/Human Resources/Customer Service/Software/Operations/Management
Marius Group • FT/PT/Intern - Sales/Marketing/Human Resources
M&M Industries • FT/PT - Maintenance Operators/Packers/Printers/Injection Molding
Novo Health Services •
Reliance Partners • FT - Sales/Marketing/Customer Service/Finance/Accounting/Software/Operations/Management
Robert Half • FT/PT - Marketing/Human Resources/Customer Service/Finance/Accounting
Shelly Cove • FT/PT - Operations
Skuid • FT
Steam Logistics • FT - Sales/Operations/Administration
Text Request • FT - Software
The Professional Cleaning Solution • FT/PT - Operations
Trident Transport • FT - Sales
Payroll 101
In this session, learn the basics of payroll, including taxes, time tracking and how to classify employees as either W2 or 1099.
Chattanooga's FIRST-EVER "Network Under 40" + Book Launch from TED Speaker
THIS EVENT REQUIRES A SEPARATE REGISTRATION. Click THIS LINK to register for the event and use the promo code CHA for a free ticket.
Who: You and 50-100 of Chattanooga's top Millennial-aged entrepreneurs, corporate talents, and side-hustlers
What: A night of networking to build friendships and business collaborations.
Where: Branch Technology, 1530 Riverside Drive, Suite B, Chattanooga, TN 37406
When: Wednesday, Oct 20th from 6-9pm
Why: The quality of your life and the success you achieve in your career is a direct result of the people you meet along your journey.
There are few spaces where you can genuinely bring your best self, engage with your peers without fear or awkwardness, and have fun while networking.
Network Under 40 has connected over 30,000 business owner and corporate "intrapreneurs" like yourself to their next job, client, friend, mentor, and opportunity, all in low-pressure and high-fun environments. We've hosted these events for 10 years in cities like Atlanta, Nashville, Baltimore, DC, Austin, Denver, and more.
Now, we're bringing NU40 to CHA.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
ChattaScooter Startup Tour
THIS EVENT REQUIRES A SEPARATE REGISTRATION AND IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 15 PEOPLE ON SITE, SO ARRIVE EARLY.
Meet some of the coolest Startup companies and support groups in Chattanooga – up close and personal, yet while being socially distant. Join Adventure Sports Innovation on a riding tour around the city using their “ChattaScooters.” The tour will stop at numerous business locations, where participants will get to meet and hear from entrepreneurs who are building their dream companies right here in the Scenic City. We’ll also include a couple of organizations whose mission is to help entrepreneurs to get started and succeed. Our tour will feature short stops at multiple venues, and our hosts will share their story and other interesting stories about the entrepreneurial side of the city. Participants will be given a brief tutorial and safety briefing, plus a little practice time before the tour kicks off. Helmets will be provided. Group size is limited, so sign up early. We’ll create an EventBrite signup, to ensure we have enough devices for all registered participants.
Startup Awards Afterparty
Immediately following the Startup Awards, join us at one of the town's newest nightlight nooks, The Blue Light. There will be music, speciality cocktails and drink specials for All Startup Week attendees. (Do you really need to get to work early tomorrow? )
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